Strictly Come Dancing viewers took to social media with fury after a shock exit was announced.

Strictly fans were furious by the announcement (Image: BBC)

BBC viewers took to social media with disappointment after Strictly Come Dancing’s hosts revealed that one celebrity contestant has pulled out of the show permanently. As the glitzy competition series returned to screens for its Blackpool special, it had already been announced that La Voix would not be participating due to an injury and would instead proceed to Week 10, according to the show’s rules. However, fans were left shocked as co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed she would no longer dance on the series with pro Aljaz Skorjanec.

In the devastating update, Tess informed viewers: “We can confirm she has very sadly had to withdraw from the competition.” The host then revealed there would be no elimination this week and, therefore, no dance-off. Meanwhile, fellow co-host Claudia Winkleman added: “We will be speaking to La Voix on tomorrow night’s show, we love you so, so much.” Viewers took to social media with disappointment and fury as one stated: “What? OMG #Lavoix is out….. Might as well switch #strictly off. #StrictlyComeDancing #bbc1.” Another echoed: “La Voix withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. Well, it’s OVER.”

La Voix was forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC)

A third fumed: “Annoyed that La Voix had to pull out of the show. Legit the only one I liked watching every week.”

As another added: “Oh, how horribly sad. Not a nice ending, but what a superstar La Voix has been.”

“Gutted that Chris/La Voix had to withdraw, but their health comes first,” said one fan.

While a sixth wrote: “Absolutely gutted for La Voix having to medically withdraw, I know she wouldn’t have gone without a fight. I’m glad the public has gotten to fall in love with Chris/La Voix; this is just the start for them.”

Minutes later, the drag performer, born Christopher Dennis, released a statement expressing her disappointment at being forced to withdraw from the series.

La Voix thanks fans for their support (Image: Instagram )

In the Instagram statement, she penned: “I’m absolutely devastated to be withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn’t the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I’m letting people down.

“My spirit wanted to keep dancing, but my foot had other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote, and every sparkle of support – it’s meant the world to me.”

She added: “This isn’t the ending I imagined, but I’ll cherish this forever.”

This was a crushing blow for the star, which came just days after a Strictly spokesperson said: “In line with the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix and Aljaž will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish La Voix the very best for a speedy recovery.”